A powerful bomb blast has struck the police headquarters in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja. Witnesses say Thursday’s blast sent a plume of black smoke rising over the area. Fire engines and ambulances have rushed to the scene, and authorities have cordoned off roads leading to the attack site. Initial reports suggest the bomb came from the […]
Shell: Sabotage on Nigerian Pipeline Affects Oil Contracts
Posted June 13th, 2011 at 1:15 pm (UTC-5)
Oil giant Royal Dutch Shell says it will not fulfill some of its contracts because of acts of sabotage on a major pipeline in Nigeria. The company said investigators found that its Trans Niger pipeline had hacksaw cuts, suggesting it was damaged by thieves seeking to siphon the oil. Shell says that because of multiple […]
Nigerian Militants Set Strict Terms for Talks
Posted June 13th, 2011 at 11:55 am (UTC-5)
A radical Islamic sect in northern Nigeria says it will continue deadly attacks in the region unless the government meets strict terms for talks. In a statement, Boko Haram insists that strict Islamic law be imposed across northern Nigeria and that the government of northeastern Borno state resign. The group is also demanding that all […]
Nigeria Looking to Lock-Up Bankole Pending Trial
Posted June 10th, 2011 at 12:55 pm (UTC-5)
Nigeria’s anti-corruption agency wants to keep the nation’s former House speaker in jail until he can face trial for corruption. Dimeji Bankole is facing 16 counts for misappropriating an estimated $60 million from the government’s coffers. He appeared in court for a bail hearing Friday and will remain in jail until Monday when the hearing […]
Nigerian Warden Killed
Posted June 8th, 2011 at 11:45 pm (UTC-5)
Nigerian authorities say gunmen killed a prison warden in the northern state of Bauchi. They say Ibrahim Ali Figidi was gunned down when he answered the door at his home Wednesday. Authorities say the attack is similar to others carried out by the Boko Haram sect. The radical group is believed to be behind Tuesday […]
Top Nigerian Lawmaker Pleads Not Guilty in Graft Case
Posted June 8th, 2011 at 8:50 am (UTC-5)
A top political figure in Nigeria has pleaded not guilty to charges that he misappropriated millions of dollars of parliamentary funds. Former parliament speaker Dimeji Bankole appeared in a federal court in the capital Abuja Wednesday to answer to 16 charges of fraud. Prosecutors say they are preparing more charges against him. The court ordered […]
Nigeria’s Jonathan To Meet With Obama
Posted June 8th, 2011 at 8:20 am (UTC-5)
U.S. President Barack Obama welcomes Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan to the White House Wednesday, one day after Mr. Jonathan addressed a United Nations conference on AIDS held in New York. The White House says the two presidents will discuss regional and global developments, and work at deepening their countries’ relationship. On Tuesday, Mr. Jonathan called […]
Five Killed In Nigerian Explosions
Posted June 8th, 2011 at 12:30 am (UTC-5)
Nigerian police say multiple bomb attacks by a radical Muslim sect killed at least five people in the country’s northeast Tuesday. Police say members of the group Boko Haram set off bombs at two police stations and a church in the town of Maiduguru. Earlier Tuesday, police blamed the Boko Haram for the shooting death […]
Nigeria Files Fraud Charges Against Ex-Parliament Speaker
Posted June 7th, 2011 at 8:40 pm (UTC-5)
Officials in Nigeria have filed fraud charges against the country’s outgoing parliament speaker. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission says the charges filed by prosecutors Tuesday accuse Dimeji Bankole of conspiring to inflate the cost of computers, printers and televisions and of rigging a bid to purchase luxury cars. The officials say the charges were […]
Explosions Rock Nigeria’s Volatile Borno State
Posted June 7th, 2011 at 12:40 pm (UTC-5)
Residents in Nigeria’s northeastern Borno state say three separate blasts shook the town of Maiduguru on Tuesday. Witnesses tell VOA the blasts struck two police stations and a government building in the state capital. They also reported hearing gunfire after the explosions. Authorities did not immediately name suspects in the attack. The radical Muslim sect […]
